Whitefish High School Head Golf Coach Danny Neff knows what it takes to keep the Bulldogs on a high pedestal.  

“Whitefish has aways been known for the tradition of golf,” Neff said.  

The Whitefish girls are pushing for hardware coming off a second-place finish at state last year.  

“We’re hoping for a top three finish,” Neff said. “If they play how we know they can play, we’ll have no problem getting some hardware.”  

Seniors Karlee Brown, Rhylee Scott and Caroline Owens will be leaders for the team. Brown was fourth, Scott 13th and Owens 21st at state last year.  

The Whitefish boys are strong as well. There are three seniors on the varsity squad.  

The JV crew is competitive, and Neff anticipates a promising future for the team.  

“It’s bittersweet because we have eight kids that are always fighting for the last two spots on varsity,” Neff said. 

Whitefish-raised Neff has competitive roots that go back to his high school days. As a Bulldog he played football and wrestled, but golf has always been a part of my life.  

“Being a competitor myself – that's just how I grew up,” he said.  

Neff is beginning his 11th year at Muldown Elementary this year, teaching third grade. He also worked at Whitefish Lake Golf Club for two decades, where his connections will be a boost to coaching.  

With a baby boy on the way, Neff just needed to talk with his wife about the schedule to begin his first season of coaching. The golf season is go-go-go with a short but loaded schedule. 

“It’s a sport that I love," he said. "It’s life lasting. I also wouldn’t have even thought about a position like this if I didn’t love kids.”  

Similar to being in the classroom, Neff said that at the forefront is building relationships with athletes. 

“Coaching just comes second nature when you build trust,” he said. “The philosophy I have is grit, determination, and - honesty. It’s a gentlemen’s sport.” 

The season began last week with three days of back-to-back action.  

The Bulldogs swept Flathead and Glacier on Aug. 19 at the Whitefish Triangular.  

On Aug. 20 the crew headed to Ronan where they proved they are contenders against deep competition. Whitefish girls took first with +92 (380), eight strokes ahead of Corvallis. The boys were second to Polson +13 (301) by three strokes.  

Bulldog Mason O'Neill tied for second with Dylan Wirt of Corvallis, both behind Polson's Max Milton. Rhylee Scott led the girls with a third-place finish at +9 (81). 

The Dogs played at the Browning Invite on Aug. 21.  

The Bulldogs built momentum heading into Monday, when they had strong performances at the Columbia Falls Invite. The girls were dominant again, shooting 363 to defeat second place Corvallis by 53. The girls swept the podium in a close game: Senior Rhylee Scott shot 88 for first place, and senior Karlee Brown tied with freshman teammate Jillian Wagner in 89. Kirsten Race of Corvallis took fourth in 90. Bulldog Senior Caroline Owens tied for sixth with 97 strokes.  

It was a great day of golf for the boys as well, who again took second to Corvallis (318) with 332. Bulldogs Jessup Hutcheson shot 78 for fourth and Gabe Narez came in eighth with 83. Freshman Zack Schmid-Sommer was in the top 15 with 85.    

Up next, the Bulldogs head to Frenchtown on Thursday.  

    Whitefish's Ava Hall at the Whitefish Triangular at Whitefish Lake Golf Club on Aug. 19. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
  

    Whitefish's Karlee Brown at the Whitefish Triangular at Whitefish Lake Golf Club on Aug. 19. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)
  

    Bulldog Jillian Wagner at the Whitefish Triangular at Whitefish Lake Golf Club on Aug. 19. (Kelsey Evans/Whitefish Pilot)